What is the US Visa Waiver Program?
The short answer
CBP says the Visa Waiver Program lets citizens of 42 countries visit the US for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. You need an approved ESTA and an e-Passport.
What the program allows
The Visa Waiver Program is run by the Department of Homeland Security with the State Department. CBP says it permits citizens of 42 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
In return, those countries must let U.S. citizens and nationals visit for a similar length of time without a visa.
What you need
- An approved ESTA before you travel.
- An e-Passport with a digital chip and a machine-readable zone.
- A passport from a participating country. CBP points to its FAQ for the country list.
- Children need their own ESTA, including infants, if they have no visa.
Limits to know
ESTA approval does not guarantee entry. CBP says officers decide admissibility on arrival.
The ESTA FAQ says that if you are found inadmissible, or you are denied an ESTA, you may be able to apply for a visa through the State Department. A denial does not by itself deny entry. It only stops you traveling under the program.
Some children's passports are not eligible. For example, the FAQ says German Kinderreisepass documents are not eligible unless issued or extended on or before 26 October 2006, and Kinderausweis documents need a visa.
Dual nationals should read the FAQ on dual citizenship and passports.
Sources: CBP: Visa Waiver Program, ESTA: Official FAQ, CBP: I-94. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are in the program?
CBP says 42 countries.
How long can I stay?
CBP says stays of up to 90 days for business or tourism.
Do I need an e-Passport?
Yes. CBP says you must have an e-Passport with an embedded electronic chip.
Do I need ESTA if I arrive by land?
CBP's I-94 page says VWP travelers need an approved ESTA for entry and must get it before arriving at the U.S. land border.
Where is the country list?
CBP's ESTA FAQ has a question titled Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program.